Buffalo Sabres acquire defenseman Nathan Beaulieu

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The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday announced the team acquired defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Buffalo's third-round pick (68th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Beaulieu (age 24, 6'2", 205 pounds) appeared in his fifth NHL season with the Canadiens in 2016-17, logging career highs in games played (74), goals (4), assists (24) and points (28). In 225 career NHL regular-season games, Beaulieu has totaled 60 points (7 goals, 53 assists) and a plus-19 rating, adding four points in 17 career playoff games.

A first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, Beaulieu was drafted by the Canadiens after four seasons in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs, which included a Memorial Cup championship in 2011 and QMJHL titles in 2011 and 2012. A native of Strathroy, Ontario, he also won a bronze medal while representing Canada at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Following this trade, the Sabres still have seven picks in the 2017 NHL Draft in the following rounds: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (from Minnesota), 3rd (from Washington), 4th, 6th and 7th.